PATIALA: A demonstration was held outside head Office of State Bank of Patiala on 10th October 2008.

More than 500 officers participated. While addressing the gathering,  Amar Singh, General Secretary, Associate Banks Officers' Association unit State Bank of Patiala stated that the officers of State Bank group have been forced by the Management of State Bank of India and Government of India to resort to agitation as the Management has failed to give firm commitments on improvements on superannuation scheme and also keeping in abeyance merger proposal of remaining six Associate Banks.  Amar Singh further stated that they are demanding extension of superannuation benefits to Associate Banks as available in State Bank of India.

Amar Singh apprised the members that the Officers from State Bank Group will go on indefinite strike from 20th October 2008 in case the State Bank Management fails to satisfy the genuine demands of the officers of State Bank Group.  All India Bank Officers Confederation has also advised all its   affiliates and State Units to extend their fraternal support to the fighting comrades from State Bank of India and Associate Banks.  The officers will boycott all meetings, seminars etc. to be organized by Banks on Sundays, Holidays and after office hours.

He further stated that there is need to protect the existing structure of the State Bank of India and its Associate Banks. These banks were created with a specific task of providing the banking facilities to the interior parts of the country through a vast net work of branches in particular the rural areas of our country. The attempt to reduce the number of the Associate Banks by its merger is a great disservice to the common man of the country. The State Bank of India has been able to maintain its brand equity through its Associate Banks which are catering to their own clientele in their respective area of operation.  The rich tradition and culture which has been built by each Associate Bank is unique in its own sense. There is no need to destroy the rich tradition built by them.